Education for girls prevents early marriage: Madhesh CM Singh

JANAKPUR: The Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, Satish Kumar Singh, has stated that child marriage remains prevalent in the Madhesh Province.

He added that a majority of people here below the poverty line believe that marrying off their daughters at an early age will relieve them of the ‘burden’ of providing for and taking care of them.

As he said, poverty hinders girls from accessing their right to education, pushing them towards an early marriage. He stressed that education and an increase in awareness level could help prevent the practice of child marriage.

Addressing a delegation of representatives from the Just Rights for Children in Nepal, BASE Nepal and children at his official residence in Madhesh Bhawan of Janakpur, the Chief Minister said girls’ increased access to education attainment would contribute to discouraging their early marriage.

He also called for disproving the wrong narrative that parents/guardians have to offer hefty dowry for educated daughters and it has led to their early marriage instead of sending them for higher education. He also stressed the need of necessary support and cooperation from the authorities concerned towards that end.

Chief Minister Singh also stressed the need of increasing sensitivity among guardians regarding the significance of education for girls.

As he said, the number of girls is increasing in schools and women are giving their outstanding performances in medical field and engineering services

The Madhesh government has ensured 50 percent women reservation for women in the government services, according to the Chief Minister.

On the occasion, he also signed the commitment letter against child marriage. The paper sates that early marriage is a social and legal offence and it should be abolished at any cost.